Voyager Academy Project Exhibition Night, April 6, 2022
Voyager Academy High School 4302 Ben Franklin Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
Home of the Vikings
WELCOME!
We are happy that you came, as together, we celebrate Project Based Learning at Voyager Academy High School.
To help guide you through exhibits, and to be a participant in the learning process, please feel free to ask students any of the following questions:
What was the driving question for the project?
What prior knowledge did you need to complete the project?
What was the entry event for the project/how did the teacher present the idea of the project to you?
How long did you have to complete the project?
How did the project relate to a real world issue/topic?
How would you change the project for future classes?
---------------------------------------------
Chinese Spring Festival!
Rm: A148
Chinese 4 (Honors), Dennis Baker
Driving question(s)
How do I speak Chinese? How do I write Chinese? What have these students learned these last 4 semesters?
Description
Come and visit our Spring Festival celebration to learn to speak and write a little Chinese yourself, and enjoy some food and games while you're there! Learn from our Honors Chinese 4 students, see them in action (some will only speak Chinese, but others will help you by translating for them), and learn a little bit about all they've done these past 4 semesters.
Journeys
Rm: A149
English 4, Anna Todd
Driving question(s)
In what ways are values and social structures revealed in societies?
How do values affect the journeys people take?
How do we tell the tales of our journey?
Description
Big Idea: Media and literature are often a comment on social structures and attitudes of the times.
Chaucer’s pilgrims present a microcosm of 14th English society, and through them, Chaucer satirizes various aspects of the society of his day. Chaucer stereotypes people in medieval society so as to criticize or flatter (in a humorous way) their flaws or strengths; consequently, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales exists as a piece of medieval propaganda that pinpoints the hypocrisy and greatness of being human.
Through this lens, students examined the values and social structures revealed in societies past and present as they explored archetypal journeys concluding with the creation of life-sized satirical pilgrims on contemporary journeys. After viewing the art pieces, ask yourself, “what do these stereotypes reveal about our societal values?”
Lighting the Spark of Ambition
Rm: A149
AP English Literature, Anna Todd
Driving question(s)
How can the themes in a text be represented through art?
How do writers structure their work to reflect their message?
Description
AP Literature students have created black out poetry using pages from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
The poems and artwork center around themes and symbols from Gothic Romanticism. Literary analysis target areas such as mood, setting, and imagery, are displayed throughout the classroom.
"Never Shall We Forget...Or Did We?"
Rm: A150
Honors English 2, Cayla Pluebell
Driving question(s)
How can silence result in violence during complex times?
Description
After reading first-hand accounts about experiencing horrific wars, from the perspective of two young teens, students came up with the essential question: “Never shall we forget…or did we?”
As a class we will create a 3D tree to display how the Holocaust Genocide impacted current events in the world today. Students are questioning if society and the world has legitimately learned from the mistakes found within World War 2.
The tree will represent the irony of how we haven’t learned. The roots of the tree being multi-genre projects that students who chose to focus on the Holocaust will create. The branches and leaves of the tree will be current events and atrocities that are happening or that have happened post-World War 2. The students who have chosen to focus on current events, will too create Multi-genre projects.
The purpose of this project is that students will spread awareness and reflect how writers publish their work during these difficult times, in order to not stay silent. However, students are still questioning whether or not our world is learning from the mistakes of the past, based on what is still happening overseas and locally outside of school.
The Reformer's Torch and Soundtrack to a Novel
Rm: A151
English 3 and Honors English 3, Evan Greaves
Driving question(s)
The Reformer's Torch: What causes do I care about? How can I convince people to agree with my stance on the issue?
Soundtrack to a Novel: How do I pair music with a fictional text? How do the themes of music and fiction interact?
Description
To Attendees: Students had a choice between the two projects below, so you are likely to see a variety of work tonight.
The Reformers' Torch:
The period between World War 1 and World War II was marked by rapid and drastic social reform. In order to capture that spirit, you will pick up the reformer’s torch and campaign for a cause you are passionate about. Your goal is to convince both the attendees of Project Exhibition night that they should support the cause you select, as well as anyone who reads or views your work. You must conduct research, write an argument, and prepare a visual presentation to help convince your audience that they should listen to you and support your cause. You may choose a cause from the Roaring 20s period (when Gatsby was written), or you may choose something more modern.
Soundtrack to a Novel:
After reading The Great Gatsby, you are tasked with creating a soundtrack for the novel. You may not use any of the songs used in prior productions of the novel (aka the 2013 film). You must include with the playlist a paragraph for each song that explains why, in your opinion, it fits with the novel. You must include at least 10 songs, and therefore you need to have at least 10 paragraphs. In addition, you must create a Works Cited page for your soundtrack following MLA Citation guidelines. You also need to create the artwork for a CD version of your playlist, or the art for the playlist page on Spotify or Apple Music.
How to Tell a Tale
Rm: A152
English I, Amy Scott
Driving question(s)
How do we write narratives using effective techniques, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences?
Description
Students spent six weeks imagining, planning, drafting, revising, and editing first-person fictional or personal narratives.
Was Thanos right? How can we address issues associated with food production?
Rm: B118
AP Environmental Science, Dalila Lilly
Driving question(s)
What do you believe is the biggest problem with our current food system and the way you eat?
How can our food be healthier? How can our food system be better for the environment?
What is your action plan to solve this problem?
Description
Thomas Malthus believed that the growing human population would exceed its carrying capacity on Earth leading to a sharp decline in the human population. He believed that food production would be the main inhibitor of population survival and growth. As we saw in Endgame, Thanos agreed with this assessment prompting him to do the "snap".
Scientists now believe that technology and improved agricultural practices will help to ensure that food production is efficient and sustainable. In this PBL Unit, students have learned about the Green Revolution, agricultural practices, soil formation, pesticides, fertilizers, and examined the pros and cons associated with each. For this project students chose a topic regarding our food system and did additional research to develop possible solutions for these issues. They made memes to represent the good, the bad, and the ugly for each topic. They also created infographics to inform their audience and created videos (QR codes link to videos) to show what their proposed solutions are. We hope hope you enjoy our projects and learn something along the way:)
How Tall is the Tallest Thing on Voyager's Campus?
Rm: B119
Honors PreCalculus, Ken Boyer
Driving question(s)
How Do I Measure the World?
Description
Identify and prove with trigonometry what is the tallest thing on Voyager's campus; tell a story about how something significant was measured (i.e., distance to the moon).
What's the Equation? Desmos Art Project
Rm: B130
Math 3, Christian Gloade
Driving question(s)
How can I use functions to create a work of art?
Description
Students will use the online graphing calculator Desmos to recreate a work of art using various piecewise functions to model a picture. Students must use a minimum of 50 equations and 5 different families of functions in their artwork. Come check out the amazing final projects and have students show you how it's done!
Quadratics in Motion
Rm: B133
1st, 2nd, 3rd Period Math 2, Matthew Hall
Driving question(s)
How does improving the key features of your quadratic make you a better athlete?
Description
Students film themselves throwing an object, then estimate its height and distance. The object thrown will naturally follow a quadratic path. They use their estimates to create an equation, which allows them to calculate exact key elements of their projectile. Its exact height (vertex) where it was launched from (y-intercept) how far will it go (x-intercepts). Then they improve it. Will increasing the vertex make a rimmed in free throw a swish? Will throwing a baseball overhand instead of side arm make it go further?
My First Tax Return
Rm: C112
OCS Financial Management, Dan Middleman
Driving question(s)
How do you complete a tax return?
Description
Students created a tax return based on an occupation they chose. Students were given a W2 form in which they had to use that information to complete a federal and state return and determine if they were getting a refund or if they owed money. Students had to do calculations in order to determine this.
Chemicals are Everywhere!
Rm: C113
Chemistry, Chemistry Honors, Lori Fortkort
Driving question(s)
How does the structure of a chemical affect how it works?
Description
Have you ever wondered what a chemical compound really looks like at the smallest level? Or how it really works? Or what would you be able to use if that chemical wasn’t available anymore? Well, come by the Chemistry lab and see what students have discovered about everyday chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, acetone, glucose, and even laughing gas (nitrous oxide).
Bio-molecule For Class President
Rm: C115
Biology, Christine Huntington
Driving question(s)
Why are biomolecules important parts of our diet?
Description
Please come by the C hall and check out the candidate posters for Biomolecule for Bio Class President posted outside room c115 and cast your vote using the QR code provided. The biology students are campaigning this semester to prove that their biomolecule is the most important biomolecule for our body. Hurry on by and cast your vote for the best platform and 3-d model!
Under the Sea
Rm: C115
Earth and Environmental, Christine Huntington
Driving question(s)
What life does our oceanic zones support?
Description
Come explore the different zones of the oceans as we dip our toes into the water and find out what creatures live at these differing tidal areas. It will be a life size exhibit of colorfully sea creatures for you to explore.
Growing Plants in Space
Rm: C116
Astronomy, Joy Batty
Driving question(s)
What is required to grow plants in space?
Description
Through a series of 5E lessons students learned about the requirements of growing plants in space. They were then tasked with deciding which plant they would try to grow and designing their own Plant Growth Chamber. Students had to account for all constraints (including microgravity, cost to ship their materials to the ISS, subsystem interactions, plant growth requirement, ect.) and justify each piece of their design.
Voyager's Cooking Show
Rm: C117
Extended Content, Stacy Harris
Driving question(s)
What does it look like to read a recipe and carry that recipe out?
Description
How to cook French Toast
The Power of Sports to Change the World
Rm: Commons
Sports & Culture, Mike Huff
Driving question(s)
Can sports be an agent of social and/or political change?
Description
Many of us are obsessed with sports, whether it’s competing ourselves, cheering for our Voyager Vikings, or watching events like March Madness or the Super Bowl! However, sports have the power to do far more than provide exercise and entertainment. Students in this session will present stories of how sports have been used to bring about reconciliation, fight discrimination against certain groups of people, unite countries, provide opportunities, and change attitudes.
Puzzling History
Rm: D121
AP US History , Lauren Morris
Driving question(s)
Evaluate the extent to which the United States changed from the time period 1898-1945.
Description
APUSH students created visual representations of the changes and continuities in the United States from 1898-1945. They will display their visual representations on puzzles.
The changing scope of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights in America
Rm: D122
Civic Literacy, Steven Gatlin
Driving question(s)
Do I have a right?
Description
After chronologically arriving at the creation of the Bill of Rights in American History we will go deeper into the scope of our civil liberties. Students have just concluded some amendment knowledge assessments. This project is a multi-genre research project. Students will choose or be assigned one case to study. Their research will cover the facts of the case, the ruling by the US Supreme Court, and the precedent set for future generations. The research and learning will be displayed in a final artifact that will be debuted to the public at Voyager’s Spring Exhibition Night.
Memory Lane & Changing Society
Rm: D123
Honors Psych & American History , Leah Reed
Driving question(s)
What are the best methods to remember key terms? How can we reform areas in society to improve conditions for everyone?
Description
Psychology class crafted customized memory games to help with remembering key terminology. History class researched areas in society that needed to be reformed in order to improve society for all.
Mock TED Talks
Rm: D124
Public Speaking, Molly Paradis
Driving question(s)
What am I passionate about?
Description
Students gave Mock TED Talks for their midterms. Stop by at any time to see a few of the featured talks about art, music, success, happiness, social media, and more!
Country Food Projects
Rm: D125
World History, James Mills
Driving question(s)
How is America like/not like other countries
Description
Students are researching 7 topics including: Climat and Topography, Education, Politics, Culture, Religion, Flags and meanings, and Food! They have written about their findings in papers and have made food from their chosen country to show you what they have learned. Come by and ask them about it!
What is the weather? & A Comer ( Time to eat)
Rm: D126
Spanish 1 & Spanish 2, Stephen Manuel
Driving question(s)
How do we talk about the weather in a Spanish Speaking Country? & How do we cook food in Spanish and present it to an audience?
Description
Students will play the role of meteorologists and present the weather of a Spanish country that they have learned about. Students will using greetings, numbers and weather expressions and more to complete their Weather Forecast.
Students will use commands and present progressive tenses to create a Cooking show from a Spanish speaking country to show what the popular dish of that country is and why.
Hope in Our HeART
Rm: E124
Art 1, Art 4H/AP, Tanya ClarkStover
Driving question(s)
How do visual artists use their talents to benefit those in need?
Description
Join the visual art classes on April 6th at the Project Exhibition Night as we host a fundraiser for a Ukrainian charity. Students in art classes have been creating art that we will sell in a silent auction format during the Exhibition. Artwork will be displayed in the art room (E124) where attendees can bid on the art available. The item will go to the highest bidder and ALL (100%) of the proceeds will be donated to a charity that will support Ukrainian refugees. All art is handmade by our students and items range from hand painted stools, silhouette art, to watercolor paintings. This will be an event you don't want to miss! Happy Bidding!
Know Your Target!
Rm: E135
Entrepreneurship, Tiffany Henrikson
Driving question(s)
Why is knowing your target market critical for business success?
Description
Students were given information on a person who is representative of their Target Market and they created a life size drawing/cut out of that person. They had to decorate their figure as to what they would look like, wear, etc as well as decorate the cutout person with pictures of products that they thought would appeal to him/her and answered the following questions:
- What types of products and/or services could you realistically see this person using, buying, etc.?
- What product/service features would appeal to this person
- What benefits would this person look for in a product/service
- Why would the company who makes the good or provides the service want to market to this particular person (the representative of the target market)?
We've Got Game!
Rm: E135
Marketing, Tiffany Henrikson
Driving question(s)
How can creating a board game help students to use the marketing concepts they have learned?
Description
Students used their knowledge of multiple marketing concepts to create their own board game based on those concepts! Key concepts include logos, branding, pricing, competition, advertising, target market, and distribution.
Show Choir State Championship Winning Performances
Rm: E136
Band, Max Puhala
Driving question(s)
How can we perform at the best of our ability and support two choirs with full show packages during competition season?
Description
Come by to watch a video of Bull City Sound performing their state championship shows in Greensboro, NC on Saturday, March 19th.
Engineering Game Design
Rm: E140
Engineering Drafting 2\Microsoft Presentation Recordings\Games, Jon-Erik Reynolds
Driving question(s)
How does additive manufacturing impact the Gaming Industry? Can CAD be used to develop game tokens? Can PowerPoint be used to develop games?
Description
Engineering Students work to develop board games through the process of CAD Engineering. Students brainstormed games from their childhood and put their own twist on them by creating unique game tokens using Autodesk Inventor and 3D printing the models on the class 3D printer. Prior to physically developing the game boards, CAD models were constructed and assembled in Inventor; the assemblies acted as the reference for physical development using requested materials (of choice) that benefited aesthetics and design utility.
Students in Microsoft developed playable story based games using Microsoft PowerPoint presentation software through the use of advanced features that include: Animations, Triggers, Links, and creative story boarding. Images were edited in PowerPoint using the Remove Transparency feature in some games to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the games. Types of games range from Adventure and Survival to sports themed question games.
Poetry Slam
Rm: E141
Spanish 2 , Stewart Bankhead
Driving question(s)
How and why did the poetry of Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral have such an impact on its readers and on future poets?
Description
Come see a film of Neruda and Mistral's poems performed by Dr. Bankhead's Spanish 2 (2nd period and 4th period) classes. An added bonus is that the students will read their own poetry that was inspired by the poem they chose written by one of these two renowned, Hispanic poets.
We Don't Trust the Government
Rm: E141
Spanish 3, Stewart Bankhead
Driving question(s)
Why was there so much distrust of the federal government in Mexico in the mid-20th century, and how is it expressed in the play, El censo.
Description
Come see a filmed play about the average citizen's inability to trust the Mexican government. The students in Dr. Bankhead's 1st period Spanish 3 class act their hearts out, and you get to ask the actual stars of the play what they've learned from the project.
Become a Stress Buster!!
Rm: Gymnasium
Health/PE , Alexandra Kehoe
Driving question(s)
How do stress reduction activities affect the body? What are some "stress busters" one can use to reduce stress?
Description
Stretching out the Stress- Playing from 6:00 to 6:15 pm
One of our students will be leading a 15 minute stress reduction stretch routine. Yoga mats will be provided.
Stress Buster Student Videos- Please bring your smart phone to scan the QR codes (located on the wall) and watch what our fellow students do to reduce their stress! Maybe you can take some notes and use some to your advantage.
What does your show look like?
Rm: Lobby TV Monitor
Bull City Lights, Vocal Affinity, Nicole Whitby
Driving question(s)
How can I create an interesting and successful show choir show using a variety of music, costumes, and set design?
Description
The students in VAHS Show Choirs created their own show choir shows! Each show contains a theme, set list, costumes, and set designs. Catch a glimpse of their creativity!